Winds batter Tayside

Met Office issues yellow warning across the region

WINDS of more than 60mph battered Dundee today as Storm Caroline continued its onslaught across Scotland.

The Met Office issued an amber warning for northern parts of Scotland, and a yellow warning — indicating “severe weather” — for the central belt, including Tayside.

A peak temperature of just 6C was expected for today.

After logging wind speeds of well over 60mph, the Tay Road Bridge put restrictions in place just before 7am, with only cars and single-decker buses being allowed to cross.

Double-decker buses, high-sided lorries, pedestrians and cyclists were forced to seek alternative routes.

The closures were still in effect at 9am.

Alan Hutchison, manager of the Tay Road Bridge, said he and his team were ready to react to any weather conditions as required.

He said: “We’re expecting the weather to pick up until around 6pm.

“We would recommend that people keep an eye on our Twitter account and website for any updates.”

Grahame Madge, a spokesman for the Met Office, said the storm was the result of colder air around Iceland “invigorating” several low-pressure systems to the north-west of Scotland.

He added: “The storm will move across the North of Scotland in an easterly direction. As it goes out into the sea towards Scandinavia, the winds will start to tail off.

“Some places will have some winds into Friday but it will be gone for most by the time we get to tonight.”

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said there will be the possibility of “isolated” flooding around the Tay at 5pm.

ScotRail services between Edinburgh and Aberdeen were suspended early today, with a replacement bus service running from the capital, and a reduced service shuttle running from Dundee.

Virgin Trains East Coast also advised their services were running at a reduced speed.

A warning on the approach roads to the Tay Road Bridge this morning.